KaHn said:
The people above me make noise walking around, shutting doors etc, but its something I knew I could put up with when I moved in to the flat.
Bar putting rugs and sound proofing down everywhere (which in that case it should be him doing it to the ceiling surely?) I am at a lost as what will actually work.
Often there's a clause in flat leases stating they have to be carpeted (ie no trendy and noisy wooden floors). Frequently these things are ignored though by owners. Managing agents can enforce it if it's in the lease, but it can be a pain to sort out (via solicitors).
FWIW I've lived in a ground floor flat for quite a while and I've had several different people over my head. Even the most considerate of them have often p*ssed me off something cronic... it can be like living in a drum at times, with a 140+lb drumstick being used to do the drumming. But there's not a lot you can do about it unless there's unreasonable behaviour involved (pogo dancing, trampolining competitions, etc.) Few flats have sufficient soundproofing (the only thing which works is lots and lots of solid masonry) and that's why complaints about noise nationally are at an all time high and rising.
From what you say it sounds like the guy below you has been there a while and is suffering from cumulative stress. That doesn't excuse his actions, I'm just trying to explain why he might have been pushed into petty retaliation.
In your position I'd keep the moral highground and write him a polite letter asking him to list anything he feels upset about, and how he thinks you might be able to help. (I'm not saying you're doing anything wrong, but it is perfectly possible you're doing something routinely which would annoy you if you lived below you... if you see what I mean
If you're lucky he'll write a note back. If he's reaonable in it that's good because you've started a dialogue and can hopefully make progress that way. If he's nasty in his reply that's good too, because it'll give you something to point to when trying to get this issue solved with external help (his landlord, or advice from the Police).
I think that's enough waffle from me. Hope some of it is of use.
Andrew McP... who has been known to bang a few retaliatory doors in his time, but hasn't -- so far -- been tempted to run upstairs and bang on the door at 5am. I may have left my very loud alarm clock on at strange times when I was away once though. But in my defence the couple above me then kept fighting when I was trying to sleep. She'd stamp her feet furiously like a little girl, screaming "Why don't you love me!"
Ah, those were the days!
